Our Philosophy
Everything begins with a first step - and that step is safety. Safety is our basis for quality and entrepreneurial success in order to be a successful and respected member of the German railway community. For us, respect means that decency and integrity are the guiding principles of our actions. We do what we say - and say what we do. Success is not an individual achievement; we rely on teamwork and invest in people and partnerships that advance our industry forward into the future.
Our values
Railways only work when many different roles work together. Every decision affects safety, quality, and ope- rations. Our values provide us with a shared sense of direction—regardless of job function or hierarchy. Our values apply to everyone—on the train, in the office, in the workshop, and throughout the company.
We are RDC
✅ We stick together and support one another in our day-to-day work.
✅ We work across departments and think as a team.
✅ We respect and value the diversity of our colleagues.
✅ We share responsibility for our success.
✅ We stand up for one another, even in challenging situations.
Trust & Sincerity
✅ We communicate openly and honestly.
✅ We rely on one another and keep our promises.
✅ We treat one another with respect, regardless of role or department.
✅ We support one another so that we can succeed together.
✅ We create an environment where everyone can contribute.
Curiosity & Depth
✅ We ask questions and think critically to better understand processes.
✅ We actively contribute ideas; even small improvements count.
✅ We are open to change and new approaches.
✅ We learn from experience and are constantly evolving.
✅ We seize opportunities for improvement rather than clinging to the status quo.
Resilience & Conviction
✅ We take responsibility for our actions—every day, in every situation.
✅ We consistently follow safety rules—without compromise.
✅ We speak up openly when something isn’t going right.
✅ We stand by our decisions— even under pressure.
✅ We act in accordance with our convictions, thereby providing guidance for others.
Our 10 Leadership Principles
Safety First applies to all units of the RDC Deutschland Group and is of utmost priority. As leaders, we will proactively and uncompromisingly emphasise the importance of safety through training, leading by example, and adhering to regulations. We leaders support our employees in their efforts to operate our railway free from accidents, injuries, and safety-related incidents.
All leaders see themselves as service providers – both internally and externally. We keep an eye on the competition and focus on the customer. Reliability, punctuality, cleanliness, and friendliness are also demonstrated by leaders in their personal conduct within their own sphere of influence.
Leaders embody our values. Respectful interaction is a given. Every leader is an attentive listener and is available to their team for feedback, criticism, and suggestions. When office gossip arises, regular team meetings are used to create transparency. We embrace an open culture of mistakes, viewing them as opportunities for improvement. In communication both internally and externally, team loyalty is essential.
We are all RDC, and we all bear responsibility – for our team, for the RDC Deutschland group. Long-term important decisions are not sacrificed for the sake of short-term results. A siege mentality finds no applause in the RDC Deutschland group. Leaders create a "WE" and always communicate transparently about the background. When recurring issues arise between areas, these are moderated to foster mutual understanding.
Executives focus on the key influencing factors for their business area and deliver results of the right quality while meeting all deadlines. Even when they face setbacks, they rise to the challenge and never give up.
Leaders get to the bottom of things – we are only done when there is a solution. They review decisions and processes and respond with skepticism when expected results are not achieved. No task in solving the problem is too trivial for them. Leaders exemplify this depth and share all necessary information within the team.
Leaders remain curious and are open to further learning, as they always want to improve. They approach new challenges with an open mind and explore new possibilities.
Leaders should respectfully question decisions they view critically – as they have beliefs and stand by them. The critical discourse of leaders during decision-making is encouraged and has its place. Once a decision has been made, they stand loyally behind it and advocate for it both internally and externally.
Leaders act as the first point of contact for employees and take their coaching role seriously. They recognise talent, support the development of employees, and actively point out the programmes and offerings within the company. We are transparent in our handling of results – good performances are praised and acknowledged, while critical results and behaviours are actively addressed, and developmental needs are identified. We ensure that our employees are working productively and are fully engaged. In cases of over- or under-utilisation, discussions are actively held and measures are decided upon.
We are aware that our leadership guidelines set high standards for ourselves and our actions. We will not always meet these expectations and may sometimes "fail to reach the high bar". Nevertheless, we maintain our high standards and aim to do better next time. Enjoyment of work, inspiration, and motivation are key driving forces behind our actions.